LAKEVILLE

The Lakeville City Council has approved by a 4-1 vote the city's 2010 budget, which includes a 2.2 percent increase in the tax levy. In voting against approving the budget, Council Member Mark Bellows said that the city will be in the same predicament next year because it failed to further reduce the size of its workforce.

"It is shameful that we did not try to live more within our means,'' Bellows said. He did acknowledge, however, that he did not offer a lot of concrete ideas, saying, "I admit I have provided more heat than light to this discussion.''

EAGAN

The Eagan Rotary Club's 21st annual art gala is expected to be its biggest yet, according to an organizer.

The event, which benefits nonprofit organizations in Eagan, will include a silent auction, a dinner and entertainment. It will be Feb. 6 at the Eagan Community Center, 1501 Central Pkwy.

A retrospective of the work of Henning Jensen, a Danish-born painter who died this month, will be a special part of the event, said gala chairman Russ Zellmer.

Admission, which includes dinner, is $75. For tickets, contact Rotary member and Eagan Fire Chief Mike Scott at 651-675-5901 or e-mail mscott@cityofeagan.com.

ROSEMOUNT

Residents are invited to get their morning java fix and talk public safety at weekly Coffee With a Cop gatherings.

The informal chats on Thursdays from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. give residents a chance to ask Rosemount officers about police work and public safety.

The Coffee With a Cop gathering rotates among local restaurants and coffee shops. Details about each session are on the police department page of Rosemount's website, www.ci.rosemount.mn.us.

Eric Zweber, a senior planner, is Rosemount's employee of the year.

Zweber earned the kudos for his role in organizing, writing and editing Rosemount's 2030 Comprehensive Plan. City Administrator Dwight Johnson said: "Eric's work this year met the high standards of service that Rosemount's citizens and their elected leaders have come to expect. His coordination of the plan will pay dividends to the community for years to come."

Zweber joined the city staff in 2006. As a senior planner, he reviews proposed developments and changes to zoning laws and other ordinances. He also supports the Rosemount Planning Commission.

DAKOTA COUNTY

Those pesky burned-out holiday lights can be recycled this year at Dakota County's Recycling Zone in Eagan.

Through the "Recycle Your Holidays" program, the lights will be accepted for free through Jan. 9. Every bit of the lights -- cord, bulbs and all -- is recycled.

The Recycling Zone at 3365 Dodd Road in Eagan is open for recycling dropoff from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesdays, noon to 8 p.m. Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays.

KATIE HUMPHREY AND Dylan Belden